In 2019 she was the recipient of the Royal Geographical Society’s Neville Shulman Challenge Award, and spent two months exploring the Naga tribal territories of Northeast India and Myanmar. In 2016 Antonia spent three months exploring the remote Northeast Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Travelling by foot and motorcycle, she spent time with the Idu Mishmi, Adi, and Monpa tribes. Her experience was turned into the book Land of the Dawn-lit Mountains, which was shortlisted for the 2018 Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards.

In 2013 Antonia took a trip through Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia following the remains of the Ho Chi Minh Trail through Vietnam, a journey she took on a Honda Cub motorcycle. This was her first major solo adventure. She published her book recounting the journey, A Short Ride in the Jungle, the following year.

In 2005 drove an auto rickshaw from Bangkok to Brighton with her friend Jo Huxster. Their 98-day, 12,561 mile journey took them across 12 countries, including China, Kazakhstan and Russia. The successful trip raised £50,000 for the mental health charity MIND and broke the Guinness World Record for the longest ever journey by auto-rickshaw.

Antonia has published three books:

Antonia’s words and pictures have appeared in The Guardian, The Financial Times, The Telegraph, Geographical, and BBC Wildlife and she has presented a number of documentaries for BBC Radio 4 and the BBC World Service, on subjects as diverse as snow leopards, The Black Mountains, the Vietnam War, community conservation in Nagaland and traveller communities in the UK.

During her trips in remote places, Antonia has reported for Radio 4’s From Our Own Correspondent, with a number of her stories being featured on Radio 4’s Pick of the Week.

Closer to home, Antonia produced a documentary on the UK’s housing crisis which was a pick of the week in The Guardian, The Telegraph, and The Times, with the Times calling it ‘thoughtful and thought-provoking.’ Since 2020 Antonia has increasingly focused on stories about indigenous rights, conservation, habitat loss and the climate and ecological emergency, whilst always keeping in mind Susan Sontag’s advice: ‘Let the dedicated activist never overshadow the dedicated servant of literature – the matchless storyteller.’

Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent | Keynotes

The Anatomy of Courage: “Only boldness can deliver from fear. And if the risk is not taken, the meaning of life is somehow violated” – Carl Jung.

All Antonia’s expeditions have begun with her saying “Yes.” With having the courage to take a risk, step into the unknown, and do something that scares her. From tuk-tukking across deserts to motorbiking through jungles and exploring the eastern Himalayas, this high-energy keynote uses stories and learnings from her expeditions to help people become more courageous in the workplace.  Courage doesn’t just apply to physical bravery in extreme environments. It’s about embracing change, speaking up, persevering, having difficult conversations and swimming against the tide. Courage, whether you’re in the jungle or the office, is at the heart of meaningful growth and change.

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Embracing Change For Growth: “When did you last do something that scared you? That really pushed you out of your comfort zone?”

Using lessons from her solo motorbike expedition down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, this talk is about having the courage to embrace change, and – in doing so – becoming more effective in the workplace. Change is often accompanied by fear – fear of failure, fear of not being enough. But fear can also be the gateway to growth. Only through embracing change, challenging ourselves, can we fulfil our potential. But you don’t have to ride a small pink motorbike alone through the jungle to gain these sorts of insights. This talk shows you that it’s not about where we go, it’s about the mindset we cultivate, about being willing to step into the unknown and embrace the lessons it has to offer.

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Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent | School Talks

Antonia has spoken to primary and secondary schools all over the country, and is as happy speaking to eight-year-olds as Sixth Formers. At a time when girls and young women are facing growing misogyny, both online and in person, she particularly enjoys speaking to girls’ schools. She is not some musclebound ex-SAS soldier, she is an ordinary woman who simply had the courage to say yes and do things differently. She wants her talks to inspire and empower young people, especially girls, and show them that through ambition, hard work and commitment, they can achieve anything.

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To check fees and availability for Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent, contact Great Business Speakers on 0044 (0)1753 439289

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